And of course as you are surely aware of in the recent news, flags of rainbow color have been spotted everywhere, national monuments putting on different colorful displays and people everywhere are having a celebration of another sort.
No matter the celebration, one thing is true of all humanity - and that's the personal and public pursuit of freedom and happiness. By nature, everyone of us is born with the desire to be "free" and the hope of lifelong joy. It doesn't escape me that a quick search on words like "joy" or "freedom" in the Scriptures reveals hundreds of verses to mull over. During this season of national celebration, one in particular stands out to me: Galatians 5:13-14 "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Read that again -- we are called to be free. So our fleshly nature and our soul can be in agreement -- freedom is where we find joy! How shall we obtain this freedom and joy? Through Christ, serving each other in love, by loving our neighbor as ourselves. Whether your neighbor means your literal neighbor next door, or the people of our country searching for their own freedom, or the helpless in third world countries - joy is found in loving them.
This fourth of July, join with us as we celebrate the wonderful freedom our soldiers have fought for and continue to fight for our country. And while you're at it, find a way to spread the joy and freedom you have by loving someone around you or far away. Consider donating to the PET West Michigan as a practical act of love!
For more information, visit our website at www.petwestmichigan.org
